Welcome to my world of 10mm Wargaming I am intending to use these pages to document my ongoing wargaming projects, and the various rules i use. I hope, you may find them interesting. And even possibly learn something from them, even if its only, how not to do things.

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Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Save Slaughter Pen Farm

I first of all want to thank you for all you have done to save America's Civil War battlefields. I am continually humbled by the generosity of folks like you, and the steadfast support we have received over the years. I truly can't thank you enough.

This is especially true when it comes to the Slaughter Pen Farm at Fredericksburg.

Now, most people even those who consider themselves Civil War buffs have never heard of the Slaughter Pen Farm. But you and I know it was the scene of the most ferocious fighting of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Recall on December 13, 1862, Union General Ambrose Burnside ordered General William B. Franklin to attack Stonewall Jackson's position on the heights south of Fredericksburg. The ensuing fight lasted several hours leaving 9,000 Americans killed, wounded, or captured more than half of the casualties of the entire battle on the muddy farm fields we now call the Slaughter Pen Farm.

For decades, this part of the battlefield remained in private hands and inaccessible. But in 2006, thanks to the help of our generous members, we purchased the Slaughter Pen, preserving its wartime characteristics and ensuring the next generation of Americans won't forget this pivotal part of the Battle of Fredericksburg. This was no ordinary feat, even by Civil War Trust standards. The price a staggering $12 million made it the largest transaction we'd ever undertaken, but well worth the cost when weighed against the historical significance of this hallowed ground.

Thankfully, our friends and supporters thought so too, and I am happy to report that as of today we have paid off nearly 70% of the cost of this land.

However, we still have quite a long way to go. This year, thanks to a number of generous bequests, we owe only $135,000 to meet our annual commitment. Please help by donating to save the Slaughter Pen Farm.